In response to the concerns expressed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the national assembly, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) said it will take action.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The IPU is an international association of national legislatures. Through conversation and diplomacy, it encourages sustainable development, democracy, and peace among states.
It also aims to improve the efficacy and power of international parliaments. At an IPU meeting on Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan made her case. After her fight with Senate President Godswill Akpabio about seating arrangements, she was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct.”
“I was unlawfully suspended as a senator five days ago on March 6, 2025, for filing a sexual harassment petition against Senator Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Nigerian senate,” Akpoti-Uduagahn stated at the IPU. “I believed that by filing the petition, he would step aside and that we would both submit to the ethics, privileges, and public petitions committee for an impartial and open inquiry.
But regrettably, I was silenced and subjected to a six-month suspension along with numerous other strict requirements, including losing my security and all of the official cars and other belongings that I was given as a senator. IPU President Tulia Ackson recognized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s concerns and promised a full investigation by the organization.
Before taking any required action, she said, the IPU would hear both sides of the matter. Ackson acknowledged that Kafilat Ogbara, a member of the house of representatives and another Nigerian delegate, had asked to speak but was unable to do so because of time restrictions. Ackson stated, “I would like to say that we have heard her concerns and that hearing her would have given us all the chance to better understand what she has said.”
However, since we just heard her side of the story, as an organization like IPU, we will be considering the issues brought up and, in accordance with IPU protocol, offering an opportunity to hear the opposing viewpoint. “We will take action as needed after hearing the opposing viewpoint. Therefore, I believed it was essential that we discuss it briefly before moving further.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
